Experience the stunning beauty of Ontario during the fall season with a picturesque road trip to see the vibrant autumn colors. As the leaves transform into brilliant hues of red, orange, and yellow, popular routes like the Algonquin Park Corridor, Bruce Peninsula, and Muskoka become ideal spots for leaf-peeping. Enjoy leisurely drives along winding roads, making stops at charming towns, scenic lookouts, and hiking trails to fully appreciate the breathtaking fall foliage. Plan your Ontario fall color road trip to create unforgettable memories amid this seasonal wonder.
Below, you’ll find more than a dozen routes and suggested road trips showcasing fall colors.
Popular Resorts and Cottage Country Destinations
Fall Leaf Color Report
Before setting out, be sure to check the designated fall color progression report for the latest updates on leaf color changes.
Driving Route: Alliston | Nottawasaga Valley | Hockley Valley | Alton | Caledon
Driving Directions: From the north end of Toronto, take Highway 400 north to Highway 89. Travel west on Highway 89 through Alliston to County Road 18 (Airport Road). Then head south on County Road 18 to County Road 1 through Hockley Valley to enjoy the fall colors. From Hockley Valley, head back west to County Road 18, proceed south to Mono Mills, and continue west on Highway 9 to Highway 400.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please refer to the Fall Colour Report. Explore rural Ontario’s Fall Fairs and various attractions and events.
York, Durham & Headwaters Area Tourism
Algonquin Fall Color Getaways
The diverse resort destinations in the Algonquin area are unparalleled in North America. We’ve outlined three suggested fall color routes that can be part of an Algonquin Park circle tour. These routes include the Southern Algonquin Route, Algonquin East Side, and the Northern Algonquin Route, each featuring identified attractions, accommodations, and driving directions.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Discover rural Ontario’s Fall Fairs and various attractions and events.
Algonquin Park Area Tourism
Driving Route: Barrie Lake Simcoe Backroads Fall Colors
The Lake Simcoe and Simcoe County area, located north of Toronto, can be easily accessed via Highway 400 or Highway 404. Plan a round-the-lake road trip with an overnight stay in Barrie or Orillia. Several side trips originating from Barrie will take you through rural Ontario to Wasaga Beach and Dufferin County.
Four Road Trip Options Starting from Barrie, Ontario:
- Barrie to Horseshoe Valley, then to Orillia, and back to Barrie—fall colors route
- Barrie to Elmvale, Wasaga Beach, and back via Minesing—fall colors route
- Barrie to Lake Simcoe—fall colors circular tour
- Barrie, Simcoe County to Dufferin County
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Discover rural Ontario’s Fall Fairs and various attractions and events.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Georgian Bay Fall Color Routes
The fall colors of Georgian Bay can be breathtaking, whether viewed from a boat or canoe, or from the road visiting the many bays, inlets, and coves. The Bruce Peninsula and Niagara Escarpment offer some of the most stunning scenery in Canada. Accept the Georgian Bay challenge and complete a road trip around the Bay; you’ll soon see that Georgian Bay deserves its own designation as a lake (Lake Georgian Bay). Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island in the world, is part of Georgian Bay and well worth the drive to Tobermory to catch the MS Chi-Cheemaun passenger-vehicle ferry to the Island. Apple festivals, harvest celebrations, and fall fairs dominate September and October, providing fun for the whole family.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Discover rural Ontario’s Fall Fairs and various attractions and events.
Driving Route: Barrie – Stayner – Alliston – Orangeville – Hockley Valley – Caledon
Driving Directions: Take Highway 400 to the Barrie Bayfield St. exit (Highway 26), heading west to Stayner. A beautiful view of the fall colors awaits behind the Simcoe County buildings with extensive trails. Continue on Highway 26 to Stayner, then go south on County Road 42 (Airport Rd.), which changes to County Road 18 to Mansfield. From there, head south to Highway 89 and head west at Violet Hill for a pleasant diversion, stopping at Mrs. Mitchell’s for lunch. Return via Highway 89, heading east to Highway 50. Proceed south on Highway 50 to Loretto, then west to Hockley on County Road 1 and 7 to enjoy the fall colors. After leaving Hockley, travel south on 3rd Line E. to Highway 9, then west on Highway 9 to Horseshoe Rd. Turn right on Horseshoe Hill Rd. to Highway 24. Turn right on Highway 24 to Caledon and find your way back to Highway 400 via various back roads.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
BruceGreySimcoe Tourism
Driving Route: Haliburton – Huntsville Fall Colors
Driving Directions: Take Highway 11 north to Highway 118 east. Travel east on Highway 118 to Highway 35 and head south on Highway 35 to Minden. From there, take Highway 121 east to the charming village of Haliburton, then return west on Highway 118 from Haliburton Village back to Highway 35. Continue north to the village of Dorset and visit the Lookout Tower. Proceed north on Highway 35 to Dwight, then go west on Highway 60 to Huntsville, and head back home via Highway 11 from Huntsville.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Haliburton Highlands Tourism
Lake Simcoe Fall Colors Circle Tour
Driving Directions: An intriguing fall color route close to Toronto is a tour around Lake Simcoe using a combination of Highway 400, Highway 11, and numerous side roads that take you through Barrie, Orillia, Lagoon City, Beaverton, Sutton, Keswick, and Holland Landing. This tour can begin on the east side of Lake Simcoe or the west side, traveling north.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Driving Route: Lake Ontario Shores from Grafton to Picton
Discover the scenic beauty of Northumberland and the shores of Lake Ontario. Head northeast on Highway 401 to Grafton. Take Exit #487, Lyle St. Grafton, and turn north on Lyle Street for about 1.5 km to Academy Hill Road. Turn left and follow this road until it ends, managing left to reach Ste. Anne’s main building, which is 500 metres away on your left. Look for signs leading to Haldimand Hills Spa Village and follow them to St. Anne’s Country Inn and Spa for a spectacular view of Lake Ontario. Afterward, head back toward Grafton via Highway 2. Continue west through Brighton to Trenton, then head south on Highway 33 to Picton. Explore the sights of Prince Edward County and return via Highway 49 to Marysville for your trip back to Grafton via the 401.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Southeastern Ontario Tourism
Driving Route: Lakefield to Barry’s Bay Fall Colors
Driving Directions: Drive north from Peterborough along County Road 23 along the river to Lakefield. From Lakefield, head north on Highway 28. You’ll begin to notice the transition in landscape and colors in the Canadian Shield, with more rocks and contrasting evergreens set against the backdrop of fall foliage—ideal for beautiful photographs. Continue on Highway 28 to Bancroft and then proceed north to Highway 62 and Maynooth. Stay on Highway 62 to Barry’s Bay, passing through the Hamlet of Maple Leaf and Combermere (keep an eye out for the scenic lookout sign just before Combermere). Interesting Side Trips: Consider checking out Buckhorn and Harcourt.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Exploring Muskoka Fall Color Road Trips
Discover the stunning fall colors of Muskoka, located north of Toronto, accessible via Highway 400 and Highway 11. Muskoka begins at the Severn River (part of the Trent-Severn Historic Waterway) and extends west to Georgian Bay and east to Haliburton, making it a vast area packed with various fall travel routes to explore, close to Algonquin Park. Numerous events occur in the fall, including studio tours, fall fairs, color festivals like the Cranberry Festival, antique shows, and more. Port Carling serves as an exciting hub where Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, and Lake Rosseau converge.
For additional fall color road trip resources in Muskoka, consult Muskoka & Algonquin Park Area Tourism.
Driving Route: North Bay to Timmins, Gogama, Sudbury
Driving Directions: A direct drive to Timmins brings you into gold country—not only because of the fall colors but also due to its gold mining history. Plan for an overnight stay to make the most of the area’s attractions. Begin your journey by heading north on Highway 11 from North Bay, passing through the towns of Marten River, Temagami, New Liskeard, and Matheson. In Matheson, travel west to Timmins via Highway 101. Return to North Bay by heading west on Highway 101 to Highway 144. Go south through Gogama, then to Sudbury, and east on Highway 17 through Sturgeon Falls to North Bay.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Northern Ontario Tourism
Driving Route: North Bay – Sudbury Fall Color Route
Driving Directions: Take Highway 11 north through Huntsville, Burks Falls (consider a side trip to Magnetawan), Sundridge, South River, Trout Creek (and a side trip to Port Loring), Powassan, and Callander, all the way to North Bay. Then head west on Highway 17 to Sudbury through Sturgeon Falls and West Nippising (where you could detour to Lavigne or Chrystal Falls), finally returning via Highway 69 south through French River, Pointe au Baril, and Parry Sound (or consider a side trip to Ahmic Harbour). Continue south on Highway 69 to Highway 400.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Northern Ontario Tourism
Driving Route: Peterborough – Kawarthas Fall Color Route
Driving Directions: Start by taking Highway 11 north to Highway 12 in Orillia. Follow the signs toward Casino Rama and turn left on Rama Road, continuing to the first stoplights or County Road 45 (Monck Road). Turn right and continue east to Norland—a fun stop for family with animals nearby, plus their incredible fruit tarts. After visiting Norland, turn right onto Highway 35, proceed south to County Road 8, and turn left to Fenlon Falls. Make your way to Bobcaygeon, taking County Road 36 to Noggies Creek, then to County Road 507, and proceed to Buckhorn. Finally, head south on County Road 23 toward Lakefield and Peterborough.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Attraction Destinations with Stunning Fall Color Views
Explore Ontario’s treetop trekking locations, indulge in the Blue Mountain Resort, experience Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, visit Rounds Ranch, and enjoy the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve, along with the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre.
Driving Route: Sault Ste. Marie Fall Color Route
Driving Directions: Head toward Sudbury using Highway 400 and 69 north to reach Highway 17, the Trans-Canada Highway. Continue your journey to Sault Ste. Marie via Blind River. You can return the same way or travel through Sudbury on Highway 17 to North Bay and then south on Highway 11.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Sault Ste Marie – Algoma Tourism
Driving Route: Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa Fall Color Route
Highway 17 from Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa is recognized as one of Canada’s top ten drives. This highway follows the shore of one of the world’s largest freshwater lakes, offering extraordinary scenic views, especially in autumn when the forest transitions from vibrant maple and birch to birch and conifers.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Sault Ste Marie – Algoma Tourism
Fall Color Report Updates
Fall color reports are updated twice a week by the Ministry of Tourism until the end of October. Check the latest Ontario Ministry of Tourism Fall Color Report. Alongside the fall drives and road trips mentioned above, numerous circle tours and suggested routes from regional Ontario travel and tourism associations have been identified.
For the latest updates on fall color changes, please see the Fall Colour Report.
Enjoy Pumpkin and Halloween Events during the Fall Colors
As fall colors start to fade in many resort destinations by mid to late October, this transition offers an excellent opportunity for pumpkin and Halloween-themed road trip adventures.
